Depression in Young Children

Updated: September 16, 2014

Did you know that even toddlers and preschoolers can get depressed? It's tough to diagnose but more common than you'd think. Here are some facts every parent should know.

All kids get sad or mad sometimes. And it's even normal for a toddler or preschooler, who’s struggling to make herself understood, to get frustrated or even throw a tantrum. While your little one may not always be in a sunshine mood, as irritability and discomfort are of course common feelings for a youngster, you may be wondering if depression is the cause. Probably not, but it pays to get a better understanding of depression in young children so that if you do encounter it, you’ll know how to help.

Depression is an illness where an individual has frequent feelings of discouragement, hopelessness, misery, and despair. Only in recent years was the idea of depression during childhood accepted by psychiatrists, as it was seen as only an adult disorder. Now a days almost all schools of medicine agree that depression can occur at any age.

If you think your child maybe suffering from depression, your first natural response might be to question how you could have caused him to feel this way as his parent. It’s important to not immediately blame yourself, as there are various factors that play a role when it comes to depression in young children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, having a parent who is depressed is the single most important risk factor.

Depressed parents may have less awareness of their child’s emotional needs, therefore causing the child to feel less supported. It can also enhance child-parent conflict. Other factors include genetic, social, chemical, and psychological. Highly stressful events or the loss of a family member or close friend may also contribute to feelings of depression in young kids. Depressive symptoms can sometimes be caused by less severe circumstances, such as failure to perform well in school, social difficulty with other peers, etc.

This is why, as a parent, it’s particular important to be sensitive to any signs that your little guy or gal is feeling down in the dumps. Of course temper tantrums and irritability are common in youngsters, but if you notice your little one’s making self-deprecating comments, or has a consistently lackluster attitude about life, don’t hesitate to speak up and do something.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician about your child’s behavior and he or she will likely refer you to a therapist who can then make an evaluation and recommend treatment. Professional attention at the earliest opportunity can make a large difference in your child’s functioning in everyday life.

Get answers to all your questions about childhood depression, from signs and symptoms to treatment options that work, with this go-to guide.